Certified Translation Services

What Is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a translated document accompanied by a signed certification statement attesting that the translation is complete and accurate and that the person or organization providing the certification is competent to provide the translation.

Certified translations are commonly requested by:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Universities and colleges
• Credential evaluation organizations
• Courts
• Attorneys
• Government agencies
• Banks and lenders
• Employers
• Insurance companies
• Foreign authorities
• Consulates and embassies

There is no single certification requirement that applies to every organization or every country.

The organization receiving your documents ultimately determines what it requires.

If you are unsure, we recommend confirming the requirements with the receiving organization before ordering additional services such as notarization or apostille authentication.

Certified Translation vs. Notarized Translation

Certified and notarized translations are not the same thing.

Certified Translation
A certified translation includes a certification statement attesting to the completeness and accuracy of the translation and the competence to provide the translation.

For many U.S. government, educational and business purposes, certification is sufficient.

Notarized Translation
A notarized translation includes an additional notarization step.

Generally, the notary witnesses or acknowledges the signature on the certification statement. The notary does not independently review the translation or certify its linguistic accuracy.

Some courts, foreign governments, consulates, universities or other organizations may request notarization in addition to certification.

Because requirements vary, always confirm exactly what the receiving organization requires.

NLC can provide notarization for eligible translation projects when requested.

Certified Translation vs. Apostille

Certification, notarization and apostille authentication serve different purposes.

A certified translation attests to the completeness and accuracy of the translation.

A notarization authenticates the signature on a document or certification according to applicable notarial procedures.

An apostille is a separate form of authentication used for certain public or notarized documents that will be presented in another country participating in the Hague Apostille Convention.

Apostille requirements vary depending on the destination country and the document being submitted.

If a translation will be used outside the United States, confirm the complete requirements with the foreign authority, consulate, attorney or receiving organization before ordering the translation.

This can prevent unnecessary certification, notarization or authentication steps.

USCIS Certified Translation Services

NLC provides professional certified translations for documents submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

USCIS regulations require a foreign-language document submitted to USCIS to be accompanied by a full English translation that is certified as complete and accurate, along with certification of competence to translate from the foreign language into English.

NLC prepares certified translations for immigration documents including:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce records
• Death certificates
• Passports
• Police records
• Court records
• Adoption documents
• Financial records
• Employment documents
• Academic records
• Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Medical records
• Affidavits
• Supporting immigration evidence

USCIS does not generally require the translation certification itself to be notarized simply because the document is being submitted to USCIS.

However, requirements can differ for documents being submitted to other agencies or for other purposes.

USCIS-Ready Certified Translations

NLC prepares certified translations according to USCIS translation requirements.

If USCIS identifies a deficiency specifically with a translation or certification prepared by NLC, contact us so that we can review the issue and make any necessary correction.

This assurance applies to the translation service itself and does not guarantee the approval of an immigration petition, application or benefit.

Birth Certificate Translation Services

Birth certificates are one of the most common certified documents NLC translates.

A birth certificate translation may be required for:

• USCIS
• Immigration petitions
• Citizenship applications
• Passport matters
• Marriage
• School enrollment
• Legal proceedings
• Employment
• Foreign government submissions
• Other official purposes

Birth certificates often include more than names and dates.

They may contain stamps, seals, handwritten entries, marginal notes, registration information, signatures and government terminology that should be accounted for in the translated document.

Send us a clear scan or photo showing the entire document, including all visible stamps and markings.

Marriage Certificate Translation

Marriage certificates may be required for immigration, citizenship, legal matters, name changes, benefits or other official purposes.

NLC translates foreign marriage certificates into English as well as English marriage certificates into other languages.

When a translation will be used outside the United States, additional requirements such as notarization, apostille authentication or country-specific procedures may apply.

Confirm those requirements with the receiving authority before ordering additional authentication services.

Divorce Decree & Divorce Certificate Translation

NLC provides certified translation of:

• Divorce decrees
• Divorce certificates
• Divorce judgments
• Settlement documents
• Custody-related documents
• Supporting court records

Divorce documents can range from one-page certificates to lengthy court judgments.

Pricing and turnaround depend on the amount of content, language and complexity of the document.

Death Certificate Translation

Death certificates may need translation for:

• Probate matters
• Estate administration
• Insurance
• Banking
• Citizenship matters
• Property transactions
• Foreign government submissions
• Family legal matters

These documents frequently contain medical, legal and civil-registry terminology.

NLC can provide certified translation when required by the receiving organization.

Passport Translation Services

NLC translates passports and other identity documents for immigration, legal, employment, financial and administrative purposes.

A passport translation may include:

• Biographical information
• Issuing authority
• Document numbers
• Dates
• Place of birth
• Nationality
• Visa or annotation information when applicable

If only certain pages are required, confirm with the receiving organization which pages must be translated before submitting the project.

Diploma & Academic Transcript Translation

Universities, credential evaluators, employers, licensing organizations and government agencies may request certified translations of academic records.

NLC can translate:

• Diplomas
• Degrees
• Academic transcripts
• Grade reports
• Certificates
• Course records
• Enrollment documents
• Letters from educational institutions

Academic documents can contain specialized terminology involving degrees, credits, grades and educational systems that do not always have direct U.S. equivalents.

The translation should accurately reflect the source document rather than attempting to independently evaluate the U.S. equivalency of the credential unless a separate credential-evaluation service is being provided by the receiving organization.

Certified Legal Document Translation

Legal documents frequently require certified translation when they are submitted to courts, attorneys, government agencies or other organizations.

NLC can translate:

• Affidavits
• Court orders
• Judgments
• Contracts
• Complaints
• Summons
• Witness statements
• Divorce documents
• Custody documents
• Police records
• Legal correspondence
• Foreign court records
• Supporting evidence

Certification, notarization and filing requirements vary by court and jurisdiction.

Clients and attorneys should confirm any special requirements with the receiving court or agency.

Certified Financial Document Translation

Financial records may require certified translation for immigration, lending, legal matters, banking, investment or other official purposes.

Documents may include:

• Bank statements
• Financial statements
• Tax records
• Income documents
• Pay statements
• Investment records
• Loan documents
• Business records
• Supporting financial evidence

NLC can provide certified translation when required by the receiving organization.

Certified Medical Record Translation

Healthcare documents may also require certification when they are submitted for insurance, legal, immigration, treatment or other official purposes.

NLC can translate:

• Medical records
• Hospital records
• Immunization records
• Diagnostic reports
• Laboratory records
• Physician reports
• Treatment records
• Medical certificates

Medical terminology and abbreviations require particular attention during translation and review.

Certified Translation in More Than 100 Languages

NLC provides certified document translation services in more than 100 languages.

Frequently requested languages include:

• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• German
• Italian
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Korean
• Russian
• Ukrainian
• Polish
• Arabic
• Vietnamese
• Haitian Creole
• Turkish
• Romanian

Additional languages are available upon request.

We translate documents into English and from English into other languages, depending on the project and receiving organization’s requirements.

What Documents Can Be Certified?

Certification can be provided for many types of documents when required.

Common requests include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Death certificates
• Passports
• Driver’s licenses
• Police records
• Criminal records
• Adoption documents
• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Professional licenses
• Court documents
• Affidavits
• Contracts
• Bank statements
• Financial statements
• Tax records
• Medical records
• Immunization records
• Employment documents
• Business documents
• Immigration supporting evidence

If your document is not listed, send it to us for review.

Official Translation Services

The term official translation does not have one universal definition.

In the United States, people often use “official translation” to describe a translation intended for use with a government agency, court, university, bank or another formal organization.

In some foreign countries, however, an “official” translation may specifically require a sworn translator, government-authorized translator, notarization, apostille or other form of authentication.

Requirements depend on the country and receiving organization.

Before ordering an international official translation, determine whether the receiving authority requires:

• Certification
• Notarization
• Apostille authentication
• A sworn translator
• Consular legalization
• A particular format
• An original hard copy

NLC can prepare the translation according to the identified requirements that fall within our available services.

Certified Court & Legal Document Translation

Documents submitted in connection with court proceedings may require a certified translation.

NLC provides professional translation of court and legal documents while maintaining the structure, terminology and meaning of the original document.

Examples include:

• Court orders
• Judgments
• Pleadings
• Affidavits
• Declarations
• Exhibits
• Divorce records
• Custody documents
• Financial evidence
• Medical evidence
• Foreign legal records

Court requirements vary by jurisdiction.

The attorney or person submitting the document should confirm whether the court requires certification, notarization or another specific format.

Our Certified Translation Process

1. Send Us a Clear Copy
In most cases, we can begin from a clear scanned copy or high-quality photograph of the original document.

Make sure the entire document is visible, including:

• Stamps
• Seals
• Signatures
• Handwritten entries
• Marginal notes
• Front and back when both sides contain information

2. Project Review & Quote
We review the document, language, intended use, certification requirements and deadline.

If you need notarization, physical copies or expedited delivery, let us know before the project begins.

3. Professional Translation
The document is professionally translated by a qualified human linguist.

4. Independent Review
A second linguist reviews the translation for accuracy, completeness, terminology and consistency.

5. Final Quality Assurance & Certification
The completed document receives a final review and the applicable certification statement is prepared.

6. Digital or Physical Delivery
Digital copies can be delivered electronically.

When required, physical copies can also be shipped using available domestic or international delivery options.

Fast Certified Translation Services

Fastest professional quality translations in the industry.

Many certified translation requests are time sensitive.

Clients may be facing immigration filing deadlines, university deadlines, legal proceedings, travel requirements or other urgent situations.

NLC offers rush and expedited turnaround options for many certified translation projects.

Send us your document and deadline and we will let you know the fastest available option before you place your order.

Confidential & Secure Document Translation

Official documents frequently contain sensitive personal information.

These may include:

• Dates of birth
• Passport information
• Financial information
• Medical information
• Addresses
• Government identification numbers
• Family information
• Legal records

NLC treats client documents and project information as confidential.

A signed NDA can be provided upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Translation